Girdle with multi-region abdominal control

ABSTRACT

A girdle is disclosed which includes a body encircling region of two-way stretch material with said region having an opening in the front abdominal controlling portion thereof; and a layer of one-way stretch material secured to the body encircling region in overlying relationship with respect to the opening with the line of stretch of the layer oriented in a vertical direction. Starting at the front center of the garment, the girdle of the invention thereby includes three areas of abdominal control including; the layer of one-way vertical stretch material spanning the opening; a double layer region surrounding the opening and including superimposed layers of one-way vertical stretch material and the two-way stretch material; and the twoway stretch material comprising the body encircling region of the garment. Preferably, vertically distensible spaced apart lines of zig-zag stitching are employed to secure the layer of one-way stretch material to the body encircling region with the horizontally extending stitch portions of the zig-zag construction being increasingly and decreasingly modulated from an imaginary lineal base line to produce a scalloped effect which helps resist horizontal stresses which tend to shift the layers laterally with respect to one another.

[451 Aug. 14, 1973 GIRDLE WITH MULTI-REGION ABDOMINAL CONTROL Sallyann Zanca Salisky, Washington Township, NJ.

[73] Assignee: International Playtex Corporation, New York, NY.

[22] Filed: Sept. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 177,297

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 128/547 [51] Int. Cl. A4lc 1/00 [58] Field of Search 128/547, 539, 532,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,081,724 3/1963 B0n0.... 112/158 A 3,026,875 3/1962 Kaupp.. 128/540 3,334,633 8/1967 Horie 128/540 X 2,870,769 1/1959 Scheinberg 128/555 X 3,362,410 1/1968 Jaggers 128/540 3,207,162 9/1965 McMurtrie... 128/528 3,298,373 l/l967 Marchisella.. 128/539 3,177,876 4/1965 Steiner 123/547 3,213,855 10/1965 Greco 128/556 X 3,245,409 4/1966 Martin 128/528. 2,732,556 1/1956 Erteszek.. 128/528 3,605,755 9/1971 Kugitani... [28/528 3,406,692 10/1968 Pernas 128/556 X 3,153,416 10/1964 Cuoui ..128/528 Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney-Stewart J. Fried et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A girdle is disclosed which includes a body encircling region of two-way stretch material with said region having an opening in the front abdominal controlling portion thereof; and a layer of one-way stretch material secured to the body encircling region in overlying relationship with respect to the opening with the line of stretch of the layer oriented in a vertical direction. Starting at the from center of the garment, the girdle of the invention thereby includes three areas of abdominal control including; the layer of one-way vertical stretch material spanning the opening; a double layer region surrounding the opening and including superimposed layers of one-way vertical stretch material and the two-way stretch material; and the two-way stretch material comprising the body encircling region of the garment. Preferably, vertically distensible spaced apart lines of zig-zag stitching are employed to secure the layer of one-way stretch material to the body encircling region with the horizontally extending stitch portions of the zig-zag construction being increasingly and decreasingly modulated from an imaginary lineal base line to produce a scalloped effect which helps resist horizontal stresses which tend to shift the layers laterally with respect to one another.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PAIENIE MJ 1 M975 3 752,154

SHEEI 3 0F 3 INVENTOR 5441 m/v/v 2/14 04 .544 ASA Y ATTORNEYS GIRDLE WITH MULTI-REGION ABDOMINAL CONTROL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to girdles, and more particularly to girdles provided with novel abdominal controlling regions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As well known in the art, the function of a girdle is to support, confine and reproportion flesh to provide a smoother profile to a wearer. An area of primary concern for most wearers is the abdomen which if not properly confined and redistributed can frequently create unsightly bulges especially when the wearer is sitting or stooping.

ln an effort to confine the abdomen of the wearer, girdles of the prior art generally comprise a basic stretchable body encircling member provided with a confining abdominal panel. In prior art girdles where stretch is provided in the abdominal area, it is of the vertical type with the material being substantially nondistensible (with the exception of maternity garments) in the horizontal direction. Typical of such construction is the girdle of US. Pat. No. 3,533,412 wherein the abdominal panel thereof is provided with an intermediate layer of one-way up and down stretch material which prevents horizontal stretch.

While the provision of a vertically elastic abdominal panel serves to allow some latitude for garment adjusting during walking, sitting or stooping; vertical elasticity in the abdominal region does present many problems. In an open girdle, that is in a girdle having no leg encircling portions, the vertical pull of the abdominal portion has a tendency to cause the lower regions of the girdle to ride up along the thighs. ln panty girdle types, that is garments having leg encircling portions, the vertical pull has a tendency to cause the leg portions and intermediate crotch portion to pull up into the body of the wearer. There is thus oftentimes required readjustment of the garment on the body by the wearer, such as by manually pulling down the garment to reposition it on the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is directed to the problem of abdominal control in a girdle or like garment and as such includes a body encircling region of two-way stretch material with such member having an opening in the front abdominal controlling region thereof. Secured to the body encircling region in overlying relationship with respect to the opening is a layer of oneway stretch material, the stretch characteristics of which are oriented in a vertical direction with respect to the trunk of the wearer. As a result of such construction, the girdle of the invention is provided with three different types of abdominal control regions which center on the aforementioned opening and extend outwardly therefrom as follows.

First, there is the centermost region defined by that portion of the layer of one-way stretch material which spans the opening of the body encircling region. Surrounding the opening is a double layer control region comprising the peripheral portion of the layer of oneway stretch material which surrounds the opening and that portion of the body encircling region which is overlapped by the peripheral portion of the layer of one-way stretch material. Finally, surrounding such double layer control region is a third region comprising the basic two-way stretch material of the body encircling region.

It has been found that the different characteristics of these various regions of abdominal control permit the garment of the instant invention a great degree of localized, self-adjustment capability which has been found especially desirable in the molding and redistribution of the abdomen. Additionally, it has been found that such multi-region construction has the effect of channeling expected vertical stresses (experienced especially when the wearer sits, stoops or strides) toward the center of the abdominal region, i.e., toward the opening. However, since the provision of the opening has eliminated a substantial amount of fabric, and since the opening is spanned only by the relatively lower modulus of the aforementioned one-way vertical stretch material; the garment is relatively free to elongate and contract in direct response to the aforementioned stresses thereby minimizing many problems such as garment creasing, garment ride-up, etc., normally associated with girdles which do not have such capabilities.

As a particularly advantageous feature of the instant invention, the aforementioned layer of one-way stretch material is secured to the body encircling region by lines of stitching which are of zig-zag construction and thereby include generally horizontally extending stitch portions joined to one another by transversely oriented stitch portions. Such zig'zag construction permits the lines of stitching to be vertically distensible in direct proportion to the vertical extension or contraction of the garment; and moreover, the horizontally extending stitch portions thereof modulating in length from an imaginary lineal base line help resist the tendency of the layer of one-way stretch material to shift laterally with respect to the body encircling region of the garment.

As a further particularly advantageous feature of the invention, additional intermediate lines of stitching may be provided to secure the layer of one-way stretch material to the body encircling region of the garment and further resist the tendency of the layer of one-way stretch material to laterally shift with respect to the body encircling region.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a girdle comprising a body encircling region of two-way stretch material, said region having an opening in the front abdominal controlling portion thereof; and a layer of one-way stretch material secured to said body encircling region in overlying relationship with respect to said opening with the line of stretch of said layer oriented in a vertical direction.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide such a girdle which includes a plurality of abdominal control regions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded front perspective view of an open ended girdle construction in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a girdle of the instant invention with a portion thereof removed to illustrate constructional features thereof;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of the garment shown in FIG. 2, particularly illustrating the orientation of the lines of stitching thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the girdle shown in FIG. 2 taken along the lines 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment shown as a panty girdle, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the girdle of FIG. 4 taken along the lines 5-5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 a girdle l0 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention. Before going into detail, it is to be appreciated that although the invention is to be described in connection with a girdle, its teachings are obviously applicable to any garment or undergarment where it is desirable to control and support the abdominal region of the wearer. Also, it is to be further appreciated that although the girdle of FIGS. 1 through 3 is described in connection with an open girdle the construction illustrated in such Figures can easily be employed in a panty-leg type girdle, for instance of the type illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 or in a brief type girdle (not shown).

The girdle 10 comprises a main body encircling region 12 which is adapted to confine and shape the body of the wearer from the waist down through the hips. As well known in the art, the body encircling region 12 may comprise a plurality of parts 13 appropriately sewn together, or alternatively may comprise a single piece of material. The body encircling region 12 is comprised of a two-way stretch (indicated schematically by the crossed arrowheads 14 in FIG. I) relatively high modulus material, for instance of the type known in the industry under the trademark TWEAVE. Although any other suitable two-way stretch material, such as a powernet material, may be employed, it is most preferable to employ a woven material such as the aforementioned TWEAVE.

The center, front abdominal controlling portion of the body encircling region 12 is provided with an opening 16 which extends from a point 18 below the waist region 20 to a lower point 22 above the crotch region 24. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3, the opening 16 is illustrated as an elongated oval extending between the intermediate points 18 and 22. As will be discussed in connection with the alternative embodiments of FIG. 4 and 6, such opening may take different shapes and moreover may extend all the way from the waist region of the garment to the crotch portion thereof.

The confronting vertical edges 25 of the parts 13 of the body encircling region 12 are stitched together for a portion of their length as at 26 and 28 and whose in-' termediate portions are provided with confronting scalloped cutout regions 30 and 32 which together define the opening 16. Of course, alternate forms of construction may be employed to produce the opening in the body encircling region 12. As is conventional, elastic bands 29 may be sewn along the top and bottom longitudinally extending edges of the body encircling region l2, and garter straps 341 may be provided to cooperate with hosiery (not shown).

Secured to the inner surface of the body encircling member 12 and in overlying relationship with respect to the opening 16 is a layer of one-way stretch material (for instance of the type known as Sheerspan) whose stretch characteristics, schematically represented by the up and down arrow 38, are oriented in a vertical direction with respect to the trunk of the wearer. As oriented, the layer of one-way stretch material 36 is nondistensible in the horizontal direction.

The layer 36 is secured to the body encircling region 12 by first lines of stitching 40 which follow the outline of the opening 16 and second lines of stitching 42 which follow the outline 44 of the layer 36 for at least the major arcuate side portions thereof. Additionally, and for purposes to be further described, intermediate third lines of stitching 46 may be employed to further secure the layer 36 to the body encircling region 12.

Considering FIGS. 2 and 3 and appreciating that the layer 36 has a larger planar area than the planar area of the opening 16, it will be appreciated that the abovedescribed construction results in an abdominal control area actually comprised of three different types of localized control regions. First, there is the central region 48 (FIG. 3) defined by that portion of the layer 36 which overlies the central opening 16. Outwardly from the region 48 are double layer control regions 50 comprising the peripheral portion of the layer 36 which surrounds the opening 16 superimposed upon a corresponding area of the body encircling region 12. It will be appreciated that the one-way stretch characteristics of the layer 36 will permit the double layer control regions 50 to extend only in the vertical direction despite the existence of the two-way stretch material l2 as a layer thereof. Finally, outwardly of the double layer regions 50 are the outermost abdominal control regions 52 comprises solely of the two-way stretch material forming the body encircling region 12.

As noted previously, this multi-region abdominal control has been found to exhibit a high degree of localized self-adjustment capability which is extremely desirable for resisting and redistributing the various occurrences of flesh migration which take place in the abdominal region of the wearer. Moreover, the multiregion abdominal construction of the girdle of the instant invention tends to channel vertical stresses (generated during severe bending activities of the wearer) toward the center line of the opening 16. However, the vertically stretchable layer of material 36 which spans the opening 16, coupled with the absence of the material of the body encircling region 12 at such location, makes it a relatively easy matter for the garment to vertically expand and contract in response to such stresses. Thus, such problems as girdle creasing, crotch ride-up, etc., are minimized.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the instant invention wherein corresponding elements are indicated in primed notation. The girdle 10' of these figures illustrates a number of variations possible within the scope of the instant invention. For example, the body encircling region 12' is arranged to produce a panty leg girdle as opposed to the open girdle illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. Moreover, the opening 16' is diamond shaped as contrasted to the oval shape 16 of FIGS. 1 through 3 and addition ally extends all the way from the waist region to the crotch region 24'.

Despite the above-described differences, it will be appreciated from FIG. 5 that the girdle 10' includes the multi-region abdominal control characteristics established by the central region 48' (comprising that portion of the layer 36 which spans the opening 16'); the double layer control regions 50' (comprising the peripheral portion of the layer 36' which surrounds the opening 16 and the corresponding superimposed portion of the body encircling region 12'); and the outermost control regions 52' (defined by the body encircling region 12'). Thus the girdle 10' of FIGS. 4 and 5 possesses the advantages discussed with respect to the girdle 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. Considering FIG. 6 there is shown another alternative embodiment of the instant invention wherein corresponding elements are indicated in double primed notation. The girdle 10" of FIG. 6, like the girdle 10' of FIG. 4 is a panty leg girdle. However the opening 16" is of fanciful, symetrical design illustrating the fact that the openings of the instant invention need not be of perfect polygonal configuration. With the exception of the shape of the opening 16"the girdle 10 of FIG. 6 is constructed like the girdles 10 and 10' so as to include the multiregion abdominal control characteristics and the advantages flowing therefrom.

Turning to the stitching procedures employed to secure the layer 36 to the body encircling region 12 (and the layer 36' and 36" to the member 12' and 12" in FIGS. 4 and 6), the first lines of stitching 40 and the second lines of stitching 42 are preferably of zig-zag construction to permit the lines of stitching to vertically expand and contract with the extensions and contractions of the girdle itself. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, zigzag stitching includes generally horizontally extending stitch portions 54 joined to one another by transversely oriented stitch portions 56.

In a preferred ambodiment of the invention, the generally horizontally extending stitch portions 54 of each of the lines of stitching 40 and 42 (and the lines of stitching 46 when such optional lines of stitching are employed) are made to increasingly and descreasingly modulate in horizontal length from an imaginary lineal base line to produce the scalloped effect illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. It has been found that the extremely large number of horizontally extending stitch portions generated as a result of employing the zig-zag stitching tends to counteract the natural tendency of the layer of material 36 to shift laterally with respect to the body encircling region 12 especially during severe twisting motions of the wearer. Moreover, the scalloped effect achieved by modulating the length of the stitch portions 54 permits a greater amount of horizontally oriented stitching to be employed in resisting relative lateral shifting of the layers while still preserving aesthetic considerations.

The third lines of stitching 46 are preferably employed intermediate the lines of stitching 40 and 42. Such third lines of stitching 46 prevent the superimposed layers of the double layer control regions 50 from becoming separated in the areas between the lines of stitching 40 and 42. Finally, FIG. 2A more clearly illustrates the manner in which the scalloped effect of the second and third lines of stitching 42 and 46 are reversed with respect to one another. Such orientation tends to establish a maximum amount of horizontally extending stitching in that outermost portion 47 of the double layer regions 50 where lateral shifting is most likely to occur. It will be appreciated that the reverse scalloped effect of FIG. 2A is employed on both sides of the opening 16; and moreover that if desired, such reverse scalloped effect can be employed in connection with the lines of stitching 40' and 42' of the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, and the lines of stitching 42" and 46" of FIG. 6.

Although this invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, only by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A body constricting garment comprising:

a body encircling region including, a waist region; a

crotch region; and an abdominal controlling portion,

said abdominal controlling portion in the area of said girdle adapted to overlie the abdomen of a wearer,

said abdominal controlling portion of a two-way stretch material,

said abdominal controlling portion having a substantially centralized frontal opening region spanning a portion of said abdominal controlling portion in the area between said waist region and said crotch region.

said abdominal controlling portion including; a first control zone of a layer of one-way stretch material in overlying relationship to said opening, with said one-way stretch oriented in a vertical direction with respect to the girthwise direction of the body; and

a second control zone-with said one-way stretch material in overlying relationship with and secured to said two-way stretch material of said abdominal controlling region.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said opening is of polygonal shape which is longer in its vertical dimension than its girthwise dimension.

3. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said opening is of substantially oval shape having its vertical center line extending along the central area of the abdomen of the wearer when said garment is worn.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said layer of one-way stretch material is secured to said abdominal controlling portion by first lines of stitching which follow the outline of said opening and second lines of stitching which substantially follow the outer edge of said layer of one way stretch material for at least a major extent thereof.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second lines of stitching are of zig-zag construction.

6. The garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein portions of said zig-zag lines of stitching increasingly and descreasingly modulate in length to produce a scalloped effect.

-7. The garment as claimed in claim 6 wherein said layer of oneway stretch material is further secured to said abdominal controlling portion by third lines of stitching disposes intermediate said first and second lines of stitching.

8. The garment as claimed in claim 7 wherein said third lines of stitching are of zig-zag construction.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 8 wherein portions of said third line of zig-zag stitching increasingly and decreasingly modulate in length to produce a scalloped effect.

10. The garment as claimed in claim 9 wherein the scalloped effect of said third lines of stitching is reversed with respect to the scalloped effect of said second lines of stitching.

11. A body constricting garment comprising a body encircling region having an abdominal control area positioned therein; said abdominal control area comprismg:

a central control region of two-way stretch material having an opening therein, a layer of one-way comprising said layer of two-way stretch material. 

1. A body constricting garment comprising: a body encircling region including, a waist region; a crotch region; and an abdominal controlling portion, said abdominal controlling portion in the area of said girdle adapted to overlie the abdomen of a wearer, said abdominal controlling portion of a two-way stretch material, said abdominal controlling portion having a substantially centralized frontal opening region spanning a portion of said abdominal controlling portion in the area between said waist region and said crotch region. said abdominal controlling portion including; a first control zone of a layer of one-way stretch material in overlying relationship to said opening, with said one-way stretch oriented in a vertical direction with respect to the girthwise direction of the body; and a second control zone with said one-way stretch material in overlying relationship with and secured to said two-way stretch material of said abdominal controlling region.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said opening is of polygonal shape which is longer in its vertical dimension than its girthwise dimension.
 3. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said opening is of substantially oval shape having its vertical center line extending along the central area of the abdomen of the wearer when said garment is worn.
 4. The garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein said layer of one-way stretch material is secured to said abdominal controlling portion by first lines of stitching which follow the outline of said opening and second lines of stitching which substantially follow the outer edge of said layer of one-way stretch material for at least a major extent thereof.
 5. The garment as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second lines of stitching are of zig-zag construction.
 6. The garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein portions of said zig-zag lines of stitching increasingly and descreasingly modulate in length to produce a scalloped effect.
 7. The garment as claimed in claim 6 wherein said layer of one-way stretch material is further secured to said abdominal controlling portion by third lines of stitching disposes intermediate said first and second lines of stitching.
 8. The garment as claimed in claim 7 wherein said third lines of stitching are of zig-zag construction.
 9. The garment as claimed in claim 8 wherein portions of said third line of zig-zag stitching increasingly and decreasingly modulate in length to produce a scalloped effect.
 10. The garment as claimed in claim 9 wherein the scalloped effect of said third lines of stitching is reversed with respect to the scalloped effect of said second lines of stitching.
 11. A body constricting garment comprising a body encircling region having an abdominal control area positioned therein; said abdominal control area comprising: a central control region of two-way stretch material having an opening therein, a layer of one-way stretch material, the stretch characteristics of which are oriented in a vertical direction, in overlying relationship to said opening, a double layer control region surrounding said central control region, said double layer control region including: a portion of said layer of one-way stretch material which extends beyond the periphery of said opening, the stretch characteristics of which are oriented in said vertical direction, and said layer of two-way stretch material; and an outermost control region surrounding said double layer control region, said outermost control region comprising said layer of two-way stretch material. 